Vogue Italia has announced the final shortlist for its "Scouting for Africa" contest, an event organized by Vogue Talents in collaboration with the International Business Consortium Nigeria Limited. Included on the final shortlist of 11 designers are 3 of Lionesses of Africa's favourite women designers on the continent, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi of AAKS in Ghana, Loza Maléombho from Ivory Coast, and Pichulik by Katherine-Mary Pichulik from South Africa. We wish all three women the very best of luck in winning the ultimate accolade and prizes.

Vogue Italia's "Scouting for Africa" project dedicated to emerging fashion designers based in Africa, or of African nationality, involved hundreds of designers among which the staff at Vogue Talents selected eleven very promising profiles. One of them will have the chance to showcase his or her creations in September at the Palazzo Morando and in December at the Africa International fashion week to be held from 2 to 6 December 2015 at the new Grand Ball Hall Lekki in Lagos, Nigeria.

The profiles of the best designers will appear in Vogue Italia in 2015. One of the selected designers, besides, will have the opportunity of presenting their garments and accessories within the marvelous setting of Palazzo Morando, in Milan, a showcase of international scouting, in September 2015. During this special event, the chosen designers will be able to show their collections to journalists, buyers and designers.

The designers who will be picked will feature at Africa International fashion week coming up on the 2nd to the 6th of December 2015 at the new Grand Ball Hall Lekki in Lagos, Nigeria, with an award night by Baileys targeting women who have made their mark in in the African fashion industry.

We can't wait to see all the profiles unveiled in February and who will be the brand on which the spotlights will turn in Milan and Lagos. Here is the full list of 11 talented designers who have been shortlisted by Vogue Italia: